How the Fort Wayne Woodchucks Are Redefining Baseball for Adults with Special Needs

Article was first published in the July 2025 issue of Fort Wayne Magazine

Having seen countless baseball games, as a player, a broadcaster, and a fan, I can honestly say that the most joy I’ve ever witnessed on a baseball field was from a team in Fort Wayne. With all due respect to the Fort Wayne Tincaps, it wasn’t them. It was from a baseball team you’ve probably never heard of, but maybe you should. The Fort Wayne Woodchucks. 

A part of the Alternative Baseball Organization (ABO), the Woodchucks have been around for five seasons, with a team made up of adults with special needs who have mastered the love of the sport while trying to master the sport itself. Off the field, this group faces a variety of challenges that most people do not face. From physical limitations to autism and other cognitive issues, players face obstacles and complications on a daily basis far tougher than trying to lace a fastball into the outfield for a hit.  

Members of the Fort Wayne Woodchucks, an Alternative Baseball Organization (ABO) team after one of their recent games.

But on the field, those issues melt away, and they focus on the game, supporting their teammates and having fun. “Every player has come in with some type of challenge or struggle in their life that they’ve had to overcome. We all have that, but for our players on the field, they are acutely aware of where they’ve all come from, and where they are now,” says Ashe Simpson, the manager of the Fort Wayne Woodchucks. “They don’t want to be a part of a system that’s tearing each other down. They immediately are out there trying to build each other up, trying to encourage each other, and to be a part of a team.” 

In many cases, this is the first opportunity to participate in a team sport. Because of the obstacles they face, most were not able to join a youth baseball league which is the inspiration for the beginnings of ABO and the Woodchucks. The organization was founded in Georgia by Taylor Duncan, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age and was unable to participate in traditional sports due to misconceptions about his capabilities. He set out to change that mindset, launching the ABO in 2016.

Ashe brought the concept to Fort Wayne five years ago and has been promoting sportsmanship and baseball fundamentals ever since. “Taylor was doing interviews across the nation, stirring up interest in teams while I was living in the Davenport, Iowa area. I volunteered, and he contacted me and said, ‘you’re starting a team.’” Soon after, Ashe found himself moving to the Summit City, but he brought with him the dream of starting an ABO team. 

Originally from Monroe, North Carolina, Ashe has had a passion for baseball since he was a child. He also has a passion for helping those with special needs instilled in him by his grandfather. Ashe witnessed firsthand in high school the negative impact of bullying as well as the positive impact of kind words or encouragement to those with special needs. In addition to his role as coach and mentor, Ashe works in marketing for PSP Seals in Fort Wayne. He and his wife Tatiana are expecting their first child later this year.  

“We had 13 or 14 players that were interested initially. We’ve had some turnover since then, but the core 10 or so players have been with us since the start,” observed Simpson. The Woodchucks practice every Tuesday evening at the World Baseball Academy, which has donated the use of the facilities to the team since the beginning. 

Initially, ABO had teams set up in South Bend, Indianapolis, and Louisville in addition to Fort Wayne. While the other teams have folded, Fort Wayne has continued, playing games against volunteers, including a group of local recreational therapists. The team usually plays two or three games per season.  

Playing games is an important part of the process but is only one part of measuring the success of the team. In many ways, this group struggles to find a group to identify with – their tribe. On the field and in the dugout, this group gets to participate without judgement, without concerns of not fitting in. Ashe has done an amazing job of teaching them the sport, but more importantly about sportsmanship, and how to be a teammate. “They have kept that joyful aspect of playing on the team, of having fun and being out there and giving their all. But you know they also are taking it very seriously,” Simpson says.  

“We had a player last year hit his first home run, and the joy was off the charts,” recalls Simpson. “Initially, he couldn’t hit the ball well before. It’s great to see those little moments where we started at square one and now, we’re at square 10.” The goal of the ABO is to play like the pros, but that doesn’t mean the game isn’t adapted. “There are minor adaptations that we can make. We have one player who can’t hit an overhanded throw, and so an underhanded throw is totally OK. The more she works on it, the more she hits and the more confident she becomes.” 

The team is an inspiration that others can learn from with their attitudes, effort, and approach to the game. On more than one occasion I’ve sat in the covered area at the World Baseball Academy and listened to youth players on other teams making disparaging remarks about the team. I find it very frustrating. In all of the cases I’ve witnessed the commentary, the kids making the comments are physically able, and in some cases gifted athletes that will never understand the struggles the ABO participants face living day to day. Instead of seeing the beauty and joy of the sport and the team, they make fun of the team and come across as entitled individuals. 

The Fort Wayne Woodchucks are self-sufficient, though there are some opportunities for support and involvement if someone is interested. The team is in need of some basic equipment, like catcher gear and team hats. Ashe’s goal is to get even more players locally and throughout the region so that the team can play more games. Volunteers are always welcome, as well as fans and supporters at upcoming games. For more information, Ashe can be reached at ashejsimpson@gmail.com. 

The Woodchucks’ hope is that as they continue to ingrain themselves into the Fort Wayne sports community, the community at large will see and appreciate their love of the game, and that joy will spread to all individuals, regardless of ability.